Chelan County Juvenile Court

Program Development Consultation
Youth Workshop Development and Instruction
April - July 2012

Chelan County Juvenile Court in Wenatchee Washington hired me to assist with the process of developing arts-based programming for young people on probation and diversion in their community. Interest in developing an arts-based alternative came from all levels - judges and commissioners, the Court administrator, juvenile probation counselors, the juvenile probation supervisor, and, of course, the creative young people who these adults were working with. After a course of emails and phone conversations about what would fit best with the Court's staffing and other resources, I designed a two-day, hands-on arts workshop for a group of young women on probation. I developed, prepared, and led the workshop with contributions from the project's lead probation officer. After the workshop, I led a talk with Court staff and officers on current and potential models, research and benefits - to youth, the courts and community partners.

Many thanks to juvenile probation counselor Dee Middleton-Taylor for her creativity and her exceptional rapport with the young women in our group. Her dedication to centering their voices is inspirational.